Electoral Systems Flashcards
(35 cards)
What is FPTP?
First Past the Post!
Simple plurality
One vote each
Single member constituency-whoever gets one more vote than another MP in a constituency gets to be an MP.
The party with the most MPs forms the government, the party chooses its leader.
Advantages of FPTP
Easy to understand.
Quick and simple.
Creates strong and accountable government.
Strong constituency links.
Clear choice as it’s a 2 party system.
Discriminates against extremist parties.
Disadvantages of FPTP
Unfair-limited voter choice.
can be elected on under 50% of the electorate vote.
Smaller parties don’t really stand a chance.
Lack of proportionality.
Minority governments.
Discriminates against all parties but the leading two.
Where is FPTP used?
In the UK Westminster general elections and in the US
What is AMS?
Additional Member System!
Hybrid system-seeks to mix majoritarian and proportional systems.
Voters cast 2 votes-one for the constituency MP and the other for a party list system (to select a party).
Produces 2 types of representative-local and regional.
Advantages of AMS
Seeks to mix the good parts of FPTP with the fairness of PR.
It’s proportional.
More choice- meaning it’s fairer.
Additional seats are allocated.
Disadvantages of AMS
A number of seats are won by FPTP-which is unfair.
More complicated-so it’ll take longer ( two tiers of MPs).
Often creates coalition (can be seen as an advantage).
Gives more control to parties-list members are chosen by the party.
Where is AMS used?
Used in Scottish and Welsh devolved elections and for the Greater London Assembly.
What is STV?
Single Transferable Vote!
Large multi-member constituencies.
Preferential voting.
Gives voters a ranked choice of preferences-the number of stages relates to the number of candidates on the ballot paper, and will continue stage by stage until there are 2 candidates left and the one with the most votes transferred is elected.
Advantages of STV
Need 50% support to form a government.
Lots of choice-including between candidates in the same party.
Numerically fair outcome.
The list system allows those who don’t get FPTP to still have seats
Fewer votes are wasted.
There are no safe seats-parties must campaign everywhere.
No need for tactical voting.
Often causes coalition-parties work together.
Disadvantages of STV
The process of counting votes takes a lot longer.
Potentially complicated and confusing.
Weak constituency links.
Coalition is often produced.
Where is STV used?
Used in Northern Ireland Assembly.
What is SV?
Supplementary Vote!
Majoritarian system (seeks to give winner a majority-therefore a mandate).
Single member constituency.
Voters rank candidates in order of preference.
If no candidate receives an absolute majority of first preference votes, then all but the leading 2 are eliminated and the second ballot votes are redistributed.
Advantages of SV
Ensures majority support.
Easy to understand.
Voters choose a first and second preference.
Strong constituency links.
Has allowed some independent candidates to win.
Encourages moderate campaigning-second preference is important.
Disadvantages of SV
Wasted votes.
Usually 2 leading parties/candidates.
Small parties lose out-especially with the 1st preference votes.
All candidates but the top two get recast.
Not proportional.
Where is SV used?
Used to choose London elected Mayors.
What is PR?
Proportional Representation!
List system-open (choose a candidate) or closed (choose a party).
Multi member constituency.
Parties roughly get the same % of seats to the % of votes.
Seeks to make sure the result is nationally and mathematically fair.
Advantages of PR
Prevents a two party system.
Numerically fair.
Less wasted votes.
Likely people will relate to an MP.
Disadvantages of PR
Produces weak government and weak coalition.
Unrepresentative-vote for the party.
Party control of list.
Confused mandate- who represents who.
Where is PR used?
Used in UK (revolving around the EU) and Sweden.
What is AV?
Alternative Vote!
Majoritarian system.
Multi member constituency.
Not all losing parties are eliminated at once (like in SV).
Voters cast a 1st and 2nd choice vote, if no one gets 50% then the last placed candidate is eliminated and the 2nd choice votes are redistributed, this is repeated until someone gets 50%+.
Advantages of AV
Government is accountable and strong.
Clear choice (viable alternatives).
No tactical voting.
Small parties stand a chance.
All representatives are equal.
Disadvantages of AV
Quite complicated.
Isn’t fair or proportional-votes aren’t split equally between seats.
Where is AV used?
Used in the US